Microprocessed electronic device for producing special effects by controlling and synchronizing light and sound

ABSTRACT

“MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND” is an electronic device with a microcontroller that by controlling the brightness and color of RGB LEDs, which will illuminate the game surface, along with the an audio device control, such as an MP3 player, reproduces several special light and sound effects synchronically. In its complete version, it is comprised of a microcontroller, which controls four RGB LEDs and an MP3 player module connected to a memory, which generate the light and sound effects, synchronically. It also has a data communication module as well as an audio communication module, thus enabling the device in question to be utterly controlled by apps installed on mobile devices through a wireless connection.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Synched light and sound special effects and music have always been usedextensively on television so as to boost viewers' immersion thusproviding them with more excitement when watching films. The sametechnique is utilized in video games.

Moreover, in board games, many players use various resources with a viewto creating a more suitable environment, thus increasing immersion andconsequently leading to a significant rise in amusement. There areseveral features to the current invention such as playing in a darkenvironment with candlelight, playing horror songs in stereos/musicsystems, using sound effects apps on the cellphone or even apps createdby the board game manufacturers themselves to be used on computers andcell phones. Nevertheless, as such resources do not have light effectsprojected over the game board synchronically with the sound, they arescarce and even hazardous (e.g. candle lighting), they are not able toattain that objective.

The American patent US 20030067115 A1—Game played in a darkenedroom—describes a board game that is lit by a monochromatic light source,which when changing color, through a switch, produces visual changes inthe game board pictures and cards. This game also does not raise theplayers' immersion, because it does not produce light effects projectedover the game board synchronically with sound effects. (The patent hasbeen cited here for reference purposes only).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood through the detailed descriptionpresented below, in line with the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a block diagram of the claimed electronic device inits full version;

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the claimed electronic device,in its full version, depicting a suggestion for its positioning on agame board to be illuminated;

FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of the claimed electronic device, inits first simplified version, in which the data communication moduleswitches the four RGB LEDs connected to its outputs;

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the claimed electronic device,in its first simplified version, with four RGB LEDs;

FIG. 5 represents a block diagram of the claimed electronic device, inits second simplified version, in which the data communication modulesends data to the four addressable LEDs connected to its data output;

FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of the claimed electronic device,in its second simplified version, with four addressable LEDs;

FIG. 7 depicts a mobile device, such as a cellphones, tablets, etc.,sending commands, music and audios to the claimed electronic devicethrough a wireless connection, in all its versions; and

FIG. 8 depicts a remote control sending, via wireless connection,commands, music and audios to the claimed electronic device, in all itsversions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present patent refers to a microcontroller-controlled electronicdevice, which by controlling the brightness and color of RGB LEDs (whichwill illuminate the game board in a darkened room), coupled with audiocontrol, such as MP3 player, reproduces several special light and soundeffects, all of which are synched, such as: rain with lightning andthunder, matchstick striking, a flickering candle flame, a camerashutter sound, etc . . . , creating a more appropriate environment andincrease immersion and, consequently, the enjoyment of playing boardgames, cards, RPG, etc. . . .

THE “MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND”, in its complete version, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, consists basicallyof a microcontroller 9, which has an internal program responsible fortotal control of the device operation, in its complete version, whichcontrol four RGB LEDs 11, arranged on the edges of its circuit board 16,which generate the lighting effects as well as also controls an MP3player module 4, through commands sent to its serial data input 6, whichgenerates the sound effects, synchronically with the light effects.

The MP3 player module 4 used to generate sound effects has an internalmemory 1 that stores all files with those sound effects.

This module 4 also has an internal audio amplifier 2, connected to aloudspeaker 3.

The current invention device, in its full version, also has a datacommunication module 8, which receives commands and an audiocommunication module 7 that receives music and audios recorded on theuser's mobile device 21, wherein both modules are controlled through awireless connection 19 by an app installed on this user's mobile device21, such as cellphones, tablets, etc.

The app, developed especially for the claimed electronic device, in itsfull version, is installed on the user's mobile device 21, such ascellphones, tablets, etc., allowing for a choice of synched light andsound effects, the sending of music and audios recorded on mobiledevices, which will be played on the claimed electronic device, in itsfull version.

This app displays menus 20 of names, icons or numbers of each of thesynched light and sound effect that the electronic device, in its fullversion, is capable of generating.

When the user touches one of the items on the menu 20, the app sendscommands to the electronic device data communication module 8 through awireless connection 19, in its full version, which sends them back tothe microcontroller 9, which, in turn, controls, through the switchingof three transistors 10, the four RGB LEDs 11 and also controls, viacommands sent to its serial data input 6, the MP3 player module 4 withan internal memory 1, thus generating the chosen synched light and soundeffect.

This same app also displays menus 20 of the names of songs and audios,recorded on the user's mobile device 21.

When the user touches one of the items on the menu 20, the app sends thesong or audio, via a wireless connection 19, to the electronic deviceaudio communication module 7, in its complete version, which sends itback to the MP3 player module 4, through its audio input 5, where itwill be played in tandem with the audio of the chosen synched light andsound effect audio.

This wireless connection 19 enables the music and audio generated by anyother app installed on the user's mobile device 21 to be sent back tothe MP3 player module 4, through its audio input 5, where they will beplayed in tandem with the audio of the synched light and sound effects.

THE “MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND”, in two more simplified versions of this invention, FIG. 3 andFIG. 5, in which the user's mobile device 21, through a wirelessconnection 19, continuously sends the data sequence corresponding to thelight commands, to the data communication module 8 which, in its firstsimplified version, FIG. 3, will switch the four RGB LEDs 11 connected,through transistors 10, in its three digital ports, controlling thecolor and intensity of these RGB LEDs 11, or, in its second simplifiedversion, FIG. 5, upon receiving the data, the communication module data8 will then send them directly to the data input of the four addressableLEDs 24, which will immediately respond to this data sequence, changingits color and intensity, and synched with those light effects, uponreceiving audio, through a wireless connection 19, the audiocommunication module 7 will reproduce it and send it to the audioamplifier 23 connected to a speaker 3, in both simplified versions, FIG.3 and FIG. 5, thus generating the selected synched light and soundeffect, dispensing with the microcontroller 9 and the full version mp3player module 4, FIG. 1, respectively, thus reducing the cost of theclaimed device, in its complete version.

In these two simplified versions, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, all synched lightand sound processing, music and full control of the claimed device isdone through a wireless connection 19, by the app developed for theclaimed device, in its simplified versions, installed on mobile devices21, such as cellphones, tablets, etc . . . , with a disadvantaged higherbattery consumption of the claimed device, in its simplified versions,and of the mobile device 21 and the need for a continuous and stablewireless connection 19 between the claimed device, in its simplifiedversions, and the mobile device 21, which if interrupted, brings theclaimed device synched light and sound effects, in its simplifiedversions, to a halt.

According to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, the present invention device, in its allversions, is powered by a charge and protection module 13 connected to arechargeable battery 15, thus enabling the battery 15 to be recharged,even when the claimed device, in all its versions, is in operation.

This charging and protection module 13 also protects the battery 15 frompossible short-circuits and charges it when its mini USB port 12 isconnected to a USB charger or a USB port on a computer.

The current invention device, in its all versions, is turned off bymeans of a simple switch 14 connected to the this charge and protectionmodule output 13.

According to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the current inventiondevice circuit board 16, in all its versions, is fitted on top of astructure 17 that supports and stands approximately 25 centimeters abovethe surface 18 which will illuminate (a game board, a game of cards, etc. . . ). And it is in this structure 17 where both the speaker 3 and thebattery 15 are attached to.

Addressable LED 24 is an RGB LED that has an internal microcontroller,which controls the color and intensity of the LED when receivingcommands by means of its serial data port, which can be replaced by theaddressable LED module, when this microcontroller is assembledexternally to the RGB LED.

The audio communication module 7 and the data communication module 8,are both modules that use wireless connection technologies 19, such as:Bluetooth, WIFI, Zigbee, infrared, radio frequency, or any other type ofwireless communication 19.

Mobile devices 21, such as cellphones, tablets, etc . . . , with appsdeveloped to control the device, in all their versions, can be replaced,although with an economical disadvantage, by a remote control 22,developed for this device, in all its versions.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FORTHE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL ANDSYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND, comprising: an inbuilt control unitthat manages the color and intensity of the light generated by theclaimed device; an audio player that simultaneously generates thespecial sound effects, thus generating the “synchronized light and soundspecial effects”; a wireless audio transfer circuit which enables boththe sounds and music, to be played jointly and independently of the“synchronized light and sound special effects”; a remote control unitwhich enables the claimed device to be controlled directly and solely bythe user; and a charge and protection module, thus enabling the internalbattery to be safely recharged.
 12. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLEDELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THECONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11,further comprising: the claimed device generates “synchronized light andsound special effects”, which translates as light and sound effects thatare ordinary in everyday life and nature, such as: lightning andthunder, rain, matchstick being streaked, flickering candle , cameraflash and shutters, etc . . . .
 13. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLEDELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THECONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11,wherein the light generated by the claimed device means comprises: oneRGB LED or a plurality of RGB LEDs; one addressable LED or a pluralityof addressable LEDs; one set or a plurality of sets containing one greenLED, one red LED and one blue LED each set; one set or a plurality ofsets containing one green lamp, one red lamp and one blue lamp each set.14. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTIONOF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 11, further comprising: the claimed device,containing a microcontroller that manages the color and intensity of thelight source, and simultaneously also manages the audio player, whichgenerates the special sound effects, thus generating the “synchronizedlight and sound special effects”.
 15. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLEDELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THECONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 14,wherein the microcontroller manages the color and intensity of the lightsource through the switching of RGB LEDs or sending a data stream to theaddressable LED data port.
 16. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONICDEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL ANDSYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a wireless data transfer circuit, named “data communicationmodule” which, by means of a wireless connection, enables the claimeddevice to be controlled remotely and solely by the user.
 17. TheMICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 16, further comprising: the user remotely andsolely controls the claimed device through his mobile device, such ascell phones, tablets, etc . . . , in which the user will select the“synchronized light and sound special effects” available on the app menudeveloped for the claimed device.
 18. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLEDELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THECONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 16,further comprising: the user remotely and solely controls the claimeddevice through a remote control in which the user will select the“synchronized light and sound special effects”.
 19. TheMICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 16, wherein the “data communication module” isable to use different technologies such as: Bluetooth, WIFI, Zigbee,infrared, optical, electrical, radio, electromagnetic and acousticsignals, or any other type of wireless connection.
 20. TheMICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 11, further comprising: a wireless audiotransfer circuit, named “audio communication module”, which, by means ofa wireless connection, enables both the sounds and music generated byany other app installed on the user's mobile device, to be playedjointly and independently of the “synchronized light and sound specialeffects”.
 21. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THEPRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OFLIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 20, wherein the “audio communicationmodule” is able to use different technologies such as: Bluetooth, WIFI,Zigbee, infrared, optical, electrical, radio, electromagnetic andacoustic signals, or any other type of wireless connection.
 22. TheMICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 11, wherein the claimed device has a number of“synchronized light and sound special effects” programmed within theclaimed device and a number of “synchronized light and sound specialeffects” programmed within the app developed exclusively for the claimeddevice.
 23. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THEPRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OFLIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11, further comprising: thesimplified versions of the claimed device include a “data communicationmodule”, a “audio communication module” and a charge and protectionmodule.
 24. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THEPRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OFLIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 23, wherein the simplified versionsof the claimed device that do not comprise a micro controller or anaudio player; and upon receiving data, by means of a wirelessconnection, directly from the app developed for the claimed deviceinstalled on the user's mobile device, the “data communication module”will manage the color and the intensity of the light source and the“audio communication module” will generate the special sound effects,thus generating the “synchronized light and sound special effects”. 25.The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONRTOL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 24, wherein the simplified versions of theclaimed device the “data communication module” will manage the color andthe intensity of the light source simultaneously with its main functionmentioned earlier and the “audio communication module” will generate thespecial sound effects simultaneously with its main function mentionedearlier.
 26. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THEPRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OFLIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 24, wherein the “data communicationmodule” manages the color and intensity of the light source through theswitching of the RGB LEDs or sending a data stream to the addressableLED data port.
 27. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FORTHE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL ANDSYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 24, wherein theclaimed device, in its simplified version, has all the “synchronizedlight and sound special effects”, programmed within the app developedexclusively for the claimed device.
 28. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLEDELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THECONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11,further comprising: the claimed device is positioned so that its lightsource illuminates the game surface and its color and intensityvariations are noticeable.
 29. The MICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONICDEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL ANDSYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT AND SOUND according to claim 11, wherein beingthe claimed device that is utterly disconnected from any game rules,being able to be used with any game without requiring any reconfiguring,reprogramming or adapting of the claimed device.
 30. TheMICROCONTROLLER-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPECIAL EFFECTS THROUGH THE CONTROL AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF LIGHT ANDSOUND according to claim 11, wherein being the claimed device: portable,complete, equipped with a portable power source, independently of localelectrical energy source, independently of ambient lighting,independently of any type of assembly.